Prospective prediction of childhood body mass index trajectories using multi-task Gaussian processes.

Background: Body mass index (BMI) trajectories have been used to assess the growth of children with respect to their peers, and to anticipate future obesity and disease risk. While retrospective BMI trajectories have been actively studied, models to prospectively predict continuous BMI trajectories have not been investigated.

Materials And Methods: Using longitudinal BMI measurements between birth and age 10 y from a mother-offspring cohort, we leveraged a multi-task Gaussian process approach to develop and evaluate a unified framework for modeling, clustering, and prospective prediction of BMI trajectories.

A concise guide to essential R packages for analyses of DNA, RNA, and proteins.

R is widely regarded as unrivaled by other high-level programming languages for its statistical functions. The popularity of R as a statistical language has led many to overlook its applications outside the statistical realm. In this brief review, we present a list of R packages for supporting projects that entail analyses of DNA, RNA, and proteins.

Splenic abscesses in the new millenium - a systematic review.

Background: Isolated splenic abscesses are rare, but increasingly reported with newer organisms and changes in mechanisms involved. We conducted a comparative review of publications from 1900-1977, 1977-1986, 1987-1995, and 1996-2022.

Methods: A systematic search in Embase and PubMed resulted in 522 publications (1111 cases).

Plasma fatty acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids and surrogate fatty acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids hydrolysis activity in children with or without obesity and in adults with or without coronary artery disease.

Aim: Fatty acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids (FAHFA) are a class of bioactive lipids with anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and cardioprotective properties. FAHFA hydrolysis into its fatty acid (FA) and hydroxy fatty acid (HFA) constituents can affect the bioavailability of FAHFA and its subsequent biological effects. We aimed to investigate FAHFA levels and FAHFA hydrolysis activity in children with or without obesity, and in adults with or without coronary artery disease (CAD).

A machine-learning exploration of the exposome from preconception in early childhood atopic eczema, rhinitis and wheeze development.

Background: Most previous research on the environmental epidemiology of childhood atopic eczema, rhinitis and wheeze is limited in the scope of risk factors studied. Our study adopted a machine learning approach to explore the role of the exposome starting already in the preconception phase.

Methods: We performed a combined analysis of two multi-ethnic Asian birth cohorts, the Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) and the Singapore PREconception Study of long Term maternal and child Outcomes (S-PRESTO) cohorts.

Novel Melanocortin-3 and -4 Receptor Functional Variants in Asian Children With Severe Obesity.

Context: Genetic variants in melanocortin 3 receptor (MC3R) and melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) genes are strongly associated with childhood obesity.

Objective: This study aims to identify and functionally characterize MC3R and MC4R variants in an Asian cohort of children with severe early-onset obesity.

Methods: Whole-exome sequencing was performed to screen for MC3R and MC4R coding variants in 488 Asian children with severe early-onset obesity (body mass index for age ≥97th percentile).

Personalization and localization as key expectations of digital health intervention in women pre- to post-pregnancy.

Health behaviors before, during and after pregnancy can have lasting effects on maternal and infant health outcomes. Although digital health interventions (DHIs) have potential as a pertinent avenue to deliver mechanisms for a healthy behavior change, its success is reliant on addressing the user needs. Accordingly, the current study aimed to understand DHI needs and expectations of women before, during and after pregnancy to inform and optimize future DHI developments.

The effect of oil pulling in comparison with chlorhexidine and other mouthwash interventions in promoting oral health: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: A meta-analytic review was performed to critically synthesize the evidence of oil pulling on improving the parameters of gingival health, plaque control and bacteria counts against chlorhexidine and other mouthwash or oral hygiene practices.

Methods: Databases including Medline, Embase and bibliographies were searched from inception to 1 April 2023. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with 7 days or longer duration of oil pulling with edible oils in comparison to chlorhexidine or other mouthwashes or oral hygiene practice concerning the parameters of plaque index scores (PI), gingival index scores (GI), modified gingival index scores (MGI) and bacteria counts were included.

Patients, carers and healthcare providers' perspectives on a patient-owned surveillance system for diabetic foot ulcer care: A qualitative study.

Objective: Digital health has recently gained a foothold in monitoring and improving diabetes care. We aim to explore the views of patients, carers and healthcare providers (HCPs) regarding the use of a novel patient-owned wound surveillance application as part of outpatient management of patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs).

Methods: Semi-structured online interviews were conducted with patients, carers and HCPs in wound care for DFUs.

Sensitive LC-MS/MS method for the temporal profiling of bile acids, fatty acids and branched-chain alpha-keto acids in maternal plasma during pregnancy and cord blood plasma at delivery.

Background And Aims: There are significant changes to the maternal inflammatory profile across pregnancy. Recent studies suggest that perturbations in maternal gut microbial and dietary-derived plasma metabolites over the course of pregnancy mediate inflammation through a complex interplay of immunomodulatory effects. Despite this body of evidence, there is currently no analytical method that is suitable for the simultaneous profiling of these metabolites within human plasma.

Quality of life and psychosocial outcomes among children with metabolically healthy and unhealthy obesity.

Background: Obesity and obesity-related morbidities are associated with poor psychosocial adjustment and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study aims to examine HRQoL and psychosocial outcomes in children with metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) and metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO), and the effects of familial health on these outcomes.

Methods: Four hundred and six children with BMI for age ≥ 97th percentile were classified as having MHO and MUO based on the absence or presence of metabolic abnormalities.

Dietary Intakes and Eating Behavior between Metabolically Healthy and Unhealthy Obesity Phenotypes in Asian Children and Adolescents.

Diet plays a critical role in the development of obesity and obesity-related morbidities. Our study aimed to evaluate the dietary food groups, nutrient intakes and eating behaviors of metabolically healthy and unhealthy obesity phenotypes in an Asian cohort of children and adolescents. Participants ( = 52) were asked to record their diet using a 3-day food diary and intakes were analyzed using a nutrient software.

Diabetic foot in primary and tertiary (DEFINITE) Care: A health services innovation in coordination of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) Care within a healthcare cluster - 18-month results from an observational population health cohort study.

Diabetic Foot in Primary and Tertiary (DEFINITE) Care is an inter-institutional and multi-disciplinary team (MDT) health systems innovation programme at a healthcare cluster in Singapore. We aim to achieve coordinated MDT care across primary and tertiary care for patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFU), within our public healthcare cluster - an integrated network of seven primary care polyclinics and two acute care tertiary hospitals (1700-bed and 800-bed) with a total catchment population of 2.2 million residents.

The impact of green finance on environmental degradation in BRI region.

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is one of the largest infrastructure projects in the world, accounting for more than 30% of global GDP and 60% of world population. The economic growth of BRI member countries can be improved significantly, attributable to the successfulness of the infrastructure projects. The increased economic growth indirectly leads to higher energy consumption and environmental damage.

Modulation of High-Fat Diet-Induced Brain Oxidative Stress by Ferulate-Rich Germinated Brown Rice Ethyl Acetate Extract.

The oxidative stress resulting from the production of reactive oxygen species plays a vital role in inflammatory processes and is associated with neurodegenerative changes. In view of the ability of germinated brown rice (GBR) to improve learning and memory, this present study aimed to investigate the mechanistic basis of GBR's neuroprotection in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced oxidative changes in adult Sprague-Dawley rats. Ferulate-rich GBR ethyl acetate extract (GBR-EA; 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg body weight) was supplemented orally for the last 3 months of 6 months HFD feeding during the study.

Herb and Spices in Colorectal Cancer Prevention and Treatment: A Narrative Review.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most deadly cancer worldwide. CRC management is challenging due to late detection, high recurrence rate, and multi-drug resistance. Herbs and spices used in cooking, practised for generations, have been shown to contain CRC protective effect or even be useful as an anti-CRC adjuvant therapy when used in high doses.

Theragnostic Applications of Mammal and Plant-Derived Extracellular Vesicles: Latest Findings, Current Technologies, and Prospects.

The way cells communicate is not fully understood. However, it is well-known that extracellular vesicles (EVs) are involved. Researchers initially thought that EVs were used by cells to remove cellular waste.

Associations Between Eczema and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms in Children.

Background: Epidemiological studies suggest a link between eczema and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but underlying mechanisms have not been examined.

Objective: We aim to investigate the association between eczema and subsequent ADHD symptoms in the Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes cohort and explore the role of pro-inflammatory cytokines and gut microbiome.

Methods: The modified International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire and Computerized Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children Version IV were administered to assess reported eczema within the first 18 months and presence of ADHD symptoms at 54 months, respectively.

Colorectal Cancer: A Review of Carcinogenesis, Global Epidemiology, Current Challenges, Risk Factors, Preventive and Treatment Strategies.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most deadly cancer. Global incidence and mortality are likely to be increased in the coming decades. Although the deaths associated with CRC are very high in high-income countries, the incidence and fatalities related to CRC are growing in developing countries too.